Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said the contract price of Russian gas for Ukraine set at USD 177 per 1,000 cubic meters in the third quarter of 2016 was "absolutely comfortable" corresponding to market conditions.

At this, Naftogaz Business Development Director Yuriy Vitrenko wrote on Facebook that the price of natural gas offered by the European suppliers was below USD 173. Vitrenko noted that Ukraine would make all necessary purchases of gas on the European market.